PR 6005 
.P9 S5 
1900 
Copy 1 






no< 



SONGS AND LYRICS 



CHARLES WHITWORTH WYNNE 

Author of "Ad Astra " 




NEW YORK 

HENRY HOLT AND COMPANY 
1900 



SONGS AND LYRICS 



SONGS AND LYRICS 



BY / 

CHARLES WHITWORTH WYNNE 

Author of " Ad Astral' 




NEW YORK 

HENRY HOLT AND COMPANY 
1900 



7 



O r^ ^ '*i 



L.ilsrtjj'y of Congress 

\i'. Copies Received 
nm 8 1900 

Copynght «ntry 

SiD'^'D COPY. 

I O'sts .^ D'V:SION. 
1 \ m 27 1900 



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Copyright, 1900, 

PV 

CHARLES WHITWORTH WYNNE 

All rights reserved 



ROBERT DRUMMOND, PRINTER, NEW YORK 



TO 

GLADYS 



CONTENTS 



PAGE 

DAWN FIRES i 

I have asked you the simplest question 



THE COTTAR'S SONG 4 

Here the birds still chirp and twitter 

lANTHE 6 

lanthe ! could thy name express 

TWILIGHT 8 

O mystic hour ! when day and night 

FLAVIA'S FAREWELL 10 

If love were all, then might not thou and I 

THE STAR OF HOPE 12 

Love is not Love that can admit despair 

ESTELLE 14 

Like a diamond on a roseleaf when the rain has 

gemm'd the flower 

vii 



viii CONTENTS 

PAGE 

IS LOVE TENDER ? 17 

Is Love tender ? Is Love kind ? 

THE LITTLE ARCHER . . . . . .18 

Deftly the little Archer pUes 

LOVE-DOUBTS . ' 20 

Only as long, and so long as 

WITHERED HOPES 22 

Last night my heart was as a fading Rose 

THE WHITE POPPY 23 

Like a shimmering poppy, robed in white 

ATTAR OF ROSES 25 

Like the petals of the Rose 



PHYLLIS ^7 

'Tis not that my Phyllis has sun-laden hair 

NATURE AND ART 29 

Nature and Art in Her combined 

SONG 30 

All my longing, since first I beheld thee 



CONTENTS ix 

PAGE 

THRO' THE PASS OF LLANBERIS .... 32 
You ... at the end of the valley 

MY SILVER MOON 34 

As the moon puts on new lustre 

SAY YOU LOVE ME 35 

Say you love me !— speak it softly 

THE RING-DOVE c Z7 

'Mid beechy umbrage, bosky dell 

TO MAY 39 

May, like a maiden soft and fair 

INVOCATION TO THE MUSES 42 

Awake ! ye tuneful Nine, and sing 

THE SPRING MINSTRELS 44 

Hark ! how the welkin rings 

THE TRIUMPH OF LOVE 49 

He raised his harp, and flung aloft 

STRAINED RELATIONS So 

The guest of Sorrow and her sister Care 



CONTENTS 

PAGE 

TO WINIFRED 52 

The Syrens alone might tell you 

LOVE'S GOLDEN PILGRIMAGE . . . . .54 

To one who loves, all things are beautiful 

LOVE'S WELCOME 56 

Hark to the spirit voices from Love's sphere ! 

LOVE'S ONENESS 58 

If I had loved thee less, I had been free 

LOVE'S SLEEPLESSNESS 60 

I can no more mine ej'es to sleep compose 

LOVE'S BITTERNESS (>2 

Why should I love, when others would despise ? 

LOVE'S RULE 64 

How soon hath sped this golden summer day ! 

ESTRANGED 66. 

You spoke to me harshly, unkindly, last night 

EVENING AT SEA 67- 

A perfect night !— a night of calm at sea 



CONTENTS « 

PAGE 

TO A VICTORIAN KNIGHT 68 

It is not for the dints upon your shield 

IMPROMPTU VERSES 70 

We quarrell'd over many things 

TO AN UNKNOWN GODDESS 71 

Love ?— I have sought it thro' the universe 

TO A NONAGENARIAN FRIEND . ... 72 

Lo, now you enter on your tenth decade 

MORNING HYMN 73 

Now the golden morning shines 

MAN'S TOIL 76 

Each man would wish to be his own good-master 



GUARD THY HEART . 

Guard thy heart ! as tho' thy Lady 



77 



FORGIVENESS 79 

' Must I forgive till seven times seven ? ' 

THE SPIRIT OF POETRY 81 

Home-returning in a shower 



■xii CONTENTS 

PAGE 

SORROW'S THROXE ...... 82 

Why are friends like summer showers 

AN EQUATORIAL SUNSET ..... 83 

The sun has set, and sea and sky are blending 

DEATH OF TENNYSON ...... 84 

Mourn, all ye nations, mourn ! for he is dead 

PEACE 86 

Thou gentle Dove ! sent out to warn mankind 

ON DEATH 88 

Why shouldst thou fear, since Death must come ? 

TRUTH 89 

A will-o'-the-wisp that ever evades the sight 

SUNDOWN 90 

The noises of day come out distinct and clear 



SONGS AND LYRICS 



DAWN FIRES 

I HAVE ask'd you the simplest question 
That my soul in its want could conceive, 

And you treat the question lightly 
In a world of make-believe. 

You would have me say that I love you 
Ten thousand, thousand times, 

But, when I ask for an answer, 
'Tis ever the same old chimes — 

The chimes of my spirit's fancy, 
Ringing my heart's desire, 



2 DAWN FIRES 

But never a word that would set me free 
From the doubts that burn Hke fire! 

For seven long years have I waited, 
Trusting the clouds would break, 

And your spirit dawn upon me 
The brighter for Love's sake. 

But now I am none the wiser 

Than when Love first began, 
And still the old fire goes smouldering on 

With a hope I cannot span. 

Perchance, when this voice is silent, 
The answer will come too late, 

And only the wild winds echo 
The sadness of our Fate! 



DAWN FIRES 

For, if in my life I loved you, 
My death shall more than prove 

That never for us shall open 
The pearly gates of Love. 



THE COTTAR'S SONG 

Here the birds still chirp and twitter 

In November days, 
Meting out the sweet and bitter 

In the life they praise. 

London streets may brim with morsels, 

Dainty bits and fine, 
But for them the cottage door-sills, 

Ruddy light and shine! 

Better half a crumb with gladness 
In the light of day, 



THE COTTAR'S SONG 5 

Than a feast with pale-faced sadness 
Brooding o'er the way. 

Let me feel the warmth of Heaven 

As it purely flows — 
Feel that it is freely given, 

Straight from God's own brows! 

Not for me the City's glamour, 

Its adulterate wine — 
Hectic flush and noisy clamour 

Of a World supine. 



lANTHE 

Ianthe! could thy name express 

But half the love I feel for thee, 
Why, from my voice, thou then mightst guess 

How very dear thou art to me! 

No other homage would I pay, 

But simply breathe again thy name — 

A thousand things it seems to say 
That thee, and thee alone, proclaim. 

For in thy presence there doth flow 
A music that is passing sweet — 



lANTHE 

All Other notes are lost below 

Until within thy name they meet. 

And, whether by the brooklet's side, 
Or by the shallow, murmuring weir, 

In the soft hush of eventide 

Thy name alone floats on my ear. 

Or, in the silence of the night. 
If thy dear name my sleep invade, 

I wake to clasp a brief delight — 
I wake to find the vision fade. 



TWILIGHT 

O MYSTIC Hour! when clay and night 
Seem spell-bound with the fading light, 
When hill and valley, dale and grove, 
Bespeak none other voice but Love. 

Recumbent on her couch of pine, 
With languorous grace and dewy eyne, 
The Queen of Heaven ^ doth now unfold 
Her fatal beauty limn'd in gold. 

Whilst on the air the bat's bent wings 
Add witchery to earthly things, 

^The Planet Venus. 



TWILIGHT 

AS; sailing with uneven flight, 

He mocks the shadows of the night. 

Now doth my spirit feel a part 
Of One, Great, Universal Heart — 
The bond of fellowship at least 
'Twixt Man and Nature, bird and beast. 



FLAVIA'S FAREWELL 

Suggested % the 'Prisoner of Zenda' 

If Love were all, then might not thoii and I 
Seek out some plot of Earth before we die, 
And live and breathe into each other's being 
The happiness which seems beyond our seeing? 

If Love were all, then might I take thy hand, 
And wander with thee into Fairyland — 
How poor soe'er thy lot, no cloud could be 
Too great that did encompass thee and me. 

If Love were all, then on that all I 'd cast 
My life, my honour, all that Fame holds fast; 

10 



FLAVIA'S FAREWELL u 

For but to be enfolden in thine arms 
Were rich reward for all a maiden's charms. 

But Love is only Love when it doth bind 
Hearts to themselves, with Godhead inter- 
twined — 
If I should yield, my love, and fly with thee, 
Could I believe that God had smiled on me? 



THE STAR OF HOPE , 

Love is not Love that can admit despair, 
For Love was born of Hope, and Hope is fair — 
With that bright Star to guide him on his way, 
No Hfe were loveless, tho' Love say him ' nay.' 



What tho' the World may pass him by with 

scorn, 
Life without Love were surely more forlorn — 
He, who has look'd upon Love's guiding Star, 
Knows that it never sets — but burns afar! 

12 



THE STAR OF HOPE 13 

Tho' Love shall never here his guerdon find, 
Love leaves his own sweet recompense behind, 
For but to love — is to forget the while 
Earth and its sordid cares in Heaven's blue 
smile. 



ESTELLE 

Like a diamond on a roseleaf when the rain 
has gemm'd the flower, 

Like the first faint flush of sunrise steahng over 
stream and tower, 

Like the palest hght of evening, darkly deep- 
ening every hour, 

So are thine eyes, true love, to me. 

Like the soft and fleecy treasure of a child's 

bright golden hair. 
Like the whiteness of the hawthorn when the 

summer months are near, 

14 



ESTELLE IS 

Like the warmth of tender nestHngs zoned 
within a mossy sphere, 

So are thine hands, true love, to me. 

Like a brook that purls and ripples ever with 

a silvery sound, 
Like the chime of distant sleigh-bells tinkling 

over frosty ground, 
Like a soft-string'd Stradivarius, breathing on 

a spirit wound. 

So is thy voice, true love, to me. 

Like the tints that fall at sunset on a cloud- 
let's drifting snow. 

Like the flash of crimson streamers when the 
Alpine ridges glow, 

Like the blossoms of the almond, like the petals 
of the sloe. 

So are thy cheeks, true love, to me. 



i6 ESTELLE 

Far beyond all Poet's dreaming — far beyond 
his Heaven, his Hell, _ 

Far beyond all depths of feeling—far beyond 
what lovers tell. 

Far beyond the voice of Conscience, whisper- 
ing that thou didst was well, 

Such is thy smile, dear love, to me. 



IS LOVE TENDER? 

She 
Is Love tender? Is Love kind? 
Leaves he not his sting behind? 

He 
True, he hates a timid holder, 
Nettle-wise protects the bolder! 



17 



THE LITTLE ARCHER 

Deftly the little Archer plies 

His shafts of light — 
Thou canst not hold him in disguise, 
He lurks beneath those summer skies, 
And revels in his victories 

Till set of night. 

And Love and Laughter hide and seek 

Where lilies vie — 
They chase the sunbeams o'er each cheek, 
And ripple low, like waves that break 
Upon the shingle of a lake 

Until they die. 

18 



THE LITTLE ARCHER 19 

And Love hangs trembling on thy voice, 

Entrancing soft — 
The Love that crowns a maiden's choice, 
The Love that makes a heart rejoice. 
The Love that hears none other voice 

Save that of Love. 



LOVE-DOUBTS 

Only as long, and so long as 
No other heart seeks thine, 

Wilt thou listen to the music 
That's swelhng at thy shrine! 

Only as long, and so long as 
No other eyes speak tears. 

Wilt thou guard the sacred portals 
That hide a vestal's fears! 

Only as long, and so long as 
No other voice pleads low, 

Wilt thou seek to still the tumult 
Beneath thy bosom's snow. 



LOVE-DOUBTS 21 

Only as long, and so .oLg as 

No other hand steals thine, 
Wilt thou thrill beneath the pressure 

Of this poor hand of mine! 

Only as long, and so long as 

No other his homage pays, 
Wilt thou hsten to my madness, 

And tremble at its ways! 



WITHERED HOPES 

Last night my heart was as a fading Rose, 
Which in an Urn of Tears I did dispose — 
When Dawn look'd down from out her pearly- 
throne, 
The Rose was left, but ah! the Scent was flown. 



.22 



THE WHITE POPPY 

Like a shimmering poppy, robed in white, 
With sashes and bows of golden green — ^ 

A very woman of soft delight, 

Yet moulded as the flow^ers have been! 

Within her eyes the palest blue 

Bespoke a mind to calmness given, 

A soul in which a man might view 
The very sanctities of Heaven. 

And when she smiled it seem'd as tho' 
- Pale shadowy moonbeams sought her lips^ 

23 



24 THE WHITE POPPY 

And scattered there an argent glow 
That never suffereth ecHpse. 

And those soft hands that lie superb 
Upon the foldings of her gown, 

O beating heart, how can I curb 

The folly they would make you own? 

For I would hold them in despite 
Of any protest she might make, 

Until I felt their warmth requite 
The thing I ventured for her sake! 

Till, warm'd with secret fires, I feel 

Her reddening lips droop nearer mine, 

And life upon its axis reel 

With kisses that are more than wine! 



ATTAR OF ROSES 

Like the petals of the Rose, 
When the dews their scent disclose, 
Soft as velvet tho' they be, 
Fragrant of the Dawn and thee, 

Yet thy lips are sweeter far 

Than all garden Roses are. 

Once I thought my life supreme, 
Bedded in a Rose's dream — 
Scent of Attar on my lips, 
Nectar that the brown bee sips, 

Yet I never knew before 

What sweet scents thy lips could store. 

25 



26 ATTAR OF ROSES 

This, above that carmine wave, 
Was the soft response they gave-— 
Fading fast before my touch, 
Never yielding overmuch. 

Now I have no peace of mind 
Till thy lips again I find! 



PHYLLIS 

Tis not that my Phyllis has sun-laden hair, 

Those long, flowing tresses that lovers declare 

Are the first of Love's charms, and the breath 

of its air, 

I love her. 

'Tis not that my Phyllis has wonderful eyes. 

Whose depth is the ocean, whose zenith the 

skies, 

Whose harmonies wake in the kingdom of 

sighs, 

I love her. 

27 



28 PHYLLIS 

'Tis not that my Phyllis is sweet as the Rose, 
When the dews of the morning its freshness 

disclose, 
Or as it more fragrantly sinks to repose, 

I love her. 

Tis not that my Phyllis is tender and kind, 

That self is abandon'd — and others may find 

That the charm of all charms is the charm of 

her mind, 

I love her. 

Then w4iy do I love her? — Can any one tell? 

And why should this maiden all maidens ex- 
cel — 

With Her is my Heaven, and with Her is my 
Hell! 



NATURE AND ART 

Nature and Art in Her combined 

To make a perfect shrine 
Where one may bare the spirit's brow 

To worship the divine. 



29 



SONG 

All my longing, since first I beheld thee, 
My lips in three words would convey, 

But to speak them might breathe of dishonour 
To one whom I would not betray. 

Oh, what if I never may tell thee, 

And die with the burden I bear! 
Wilt thou value the friendship I gave thee^ 

The silence that cost me so dear? 

30 



SONG 31 

And so in our hearts we must cherish 
The knowledge that makes life divine, 

And, when in the dawning we perish, 
God mingle thine ashes with mine! 



THRO' THE PASS OF LLANBERIS 

You ... at the end of the valley, 
Storm-wrack and cloud before — 

Thro' the wild pass of Llanberis 
To the gleam of a southern shore. 



So, thro' the gulfs of sorrow, 

Thro' anguish of heart and mind, 

One only hope to my journey. 
One haven of peace I find. 



THRO' THE PASS OF LLANBERIS 33 

Yet, if that hope should fail me, 

That home in the valley fair, 
Alone, 'mid the wastes of the mountains, 

Must I wrestle with despair! 



MY SILVER MOON 

As the moon puts on new lustre 
In the blackest of the night, 

So thine eyes with deepening splendour 
Flood my darken'd soul with light. 



34 



SAY YOU LOVE ME 

Say you love me! — speak it softly, 
Breathe once more the whisper'd vow, 

Look into mine eyes, and teil me 
That you never loved till now. 

Let me feel your arms around me. 
Hold me ever closelier prest, 

Life has no diviner greeting, 
Love no holier place of rest. 

35 



36 SAY YOU LOVE ME 

Raise once more the cup of passion 
To my aching Hps anew, 

Let me dream that I am fading 
Into Heaven's eternal blue. 



THE RING-DOVE 

'Mid beechy umbrage, bosky dell, 
Tis there the Ring-dove loves to dwell. 
And, when the fiery noon is high, 
Croon softly to the sapphire sky. 

Like plashing waters heard at even. 
In which the sunset lights are riven. 
His mellow voice is soft and cool 
As moonbeams on a silent pool. 

Not here the upward-soaring lark 

With quivering throat can pierce the dark- 



37 



38 THE RING-DOVE 

The Nightingale might sing in vain 
Within the Ring-dove's hush'd domain. 

Thy song is like a summer dream 
Beside some gently-rilling stream — 
A vale where quiet hearts may rest 
And in Love's sanctity be blest. 

Amid the lush and waving grass 
I watch the shadows as they pass, 
And in thy leafy covert find 
A solace to my wounded mind — 

That Life is short, and Art is vain — 
All unpremeditate thy strain! 
That Love is long, and Virtue sure, 
And wedded bliss is more and more. 



TO MAY 

May, like a maiden soft and fair, 
With pink-white blossoms in her hair, 
Came tripping thro' the verdant mead. 
With lightsome heart and frolic tread. 

To her capie lovers, old and young. 
Whom wintry griefs had kept from song, 
To pay once more their votive vows 
For all the wealth her grace bestows. 

The Cuckoo, too, his note doth raise 
In one incessant song of praise, 

39 



40 TO MAY 

And little birds from tree and bough 
Her, Queen of all the months, allow. 

The Chestnut and the Hawthorn vie 
Whose blossoms shall outmatch the sky, 
Where soft and fleecy clouds unveil 
Their blueness to the Nightingale. 

Now mounts the Lark on quivering wing 
The treasures of his heart to sing, 
And flood the hollow vault of Heaven 
With music not to mortals given. 

Dame Nature in her softest gown 
Doth greet the darling as her own, 
And with a mother's loving heart 
Doth press those tender lips apart. 



TO MAY 41 

Maiden of Months! to thee I bring 
This Httle tribute of the Spring — 
Content, if in thy smiles I see 
A glimpse of what thy love might be! 



INVOCATION TO THE MUSES 

Awake! ye tuneful Nine, and sing 
The budding glories of the Spring, 
Awake! and sweep each sounding lyre, 
Breathe on the strings celestial fire! 
Euterpe first, with her soft flute, 
Shall bid the whistling winds be mute. 
And after her let each in turn 
Reveal the thoughts that inward burn! 
And you, ye Nymphs, that haunt the 

grove, 
Whose only hardship is to love, 
Who all night long in revel gay 
Prolong the scenes ye shun by day, 

42 



INVOCATION TO THE MUSES 43 

And, circling round your Fairy Queen, 
In sprightly dance rejoice unseen, 
Awake! and let the Chorus bear 
Your blended voices thro' the air! 

* f * H» H« 



THE SPRING MINSTRELS 



THRUSH 



Hark! how the welkin rings, 
Trembling with glee! 

Hark! how the Mavis sings, 
Changing his key! 

Bird of the dapple-gray! 

Thine is the sweetest lay, 

Whistling from fragrant bay, 
Happy and free. 



4i 



THE SPRING MINSTRELS 45 

BLACKBIRD 

The Blackbird's piping call 

Rings on my ear, 
Its accents seem to fall 

Both far and near — 
Yet, with how true a note 
The quavering stanzas floatl 
I would I had by rote 

The half I hear! 



LARK 

Queen of the azure sky! 

Whose dew-lapp'd home, 
Green blades, or wheat, or rye 

Serve for a dome — 



THE SPRING MINSTRELS 

Soaring, with spiral flight, 
High o'er the realms of sight, 
Wrapt in thy song's delight, 
Where dost thou roam? 



LINNET 

List! how that gentle lay, 

Sweetly refined, 
Warbled from tender spray. 

Floats on the wind — 
Hopping from tree to tree, 
Filling my soul with gle^. 
Linnet, thy melody 

Is wondrous kind! 



THE SPRING MINSTRELS 47 

ROBIN 

What ails thee, winter bard, 

Melodious Robin? 
Was that the voice I heard 

When winds were sobbing? 
Hast thou some vain regret 
That holds thee in iis net? 
Surely the Spring can set 

Thy heart a-throbbing! 



THE ROOKS 

Cradled in sunset glows, 
Rock'd by the storm, 

Far from their fellest foes, 
Happy and warm — 



48 THE SPRING MINSTRELS 

Love in community, 
Strong in Love's unity — 
Dawn's importunity 
Is Evening's calm. 



ALL 

Ye Poets of the air! 

Ye that can fly, 
Ye all have gifts most rare, 

Ye all must die — 
Then sing while sing ye may, 
And sing while lasts the day. 
Praising this Season gay 

And God on High! 



THE TRIUMPH OF LOVE 

He raised his harp, and flung aloft 

Its utmost power of song — 
Tho' thousands jeer'd, and thousands scofif'dy 
One little smile, as sweet as soft, 

Repaid him for his wrong! 



4J> 



STRAINED RELATIONS 

The guest of Sorrow and her sister Care, 
I slept in their strange mansion yester-night, 

Where foulest dreams disturb'd my restful 

t 

right, 
And left me wide-awake with icy stare! 

I breakfasted in those same Halls to-day — 
The pictures frown'd upon me in their gloom, 
And all was dark and deadly as the tomb: 

I fled — Iho' I was press'd upon to stay! 

On, on, I flew towards the sunny South — 
The fields and waters laughing at my haste 

50 



STRAINED RELATIONS 51 

Sang merrily their songs from mouth to mouth, 
And I felt bashful and the half-disgraced. 

To-night I dine with other friends, but they 
Are not relations, dare I so to say! 



TO WINIFRED 

(Aged Eighteen Months) 
The Syrens alone might tell you 

The Land whence my Lady came. 
Or the days she took to travel 

Over a sea of flame. 

She came with the early Dawn,, 

Before the stars were set, 
The roseate streamers lighting 

The gold on her coverlet. 

But now . . . can I tell the wonder 
The Love that has com.e to me, 

In the light of the bluest eyes 
That ever smiled out of the sea? 

52 



TO WINIFRED 53 

Such treasure of golden floss, 

In strands of drifting ore! 
'Twas spun by a faery hand, 

By the hght of faery lore. 

Her smile is a flash of the Dawn, 

Before the morning breaks — 
Twould scatter the duHest clouds 

That ever the East awakes! 

Such tiny hands and feet, 

Such mimicking words and ways! 

And, oh, for that childish prattle, 
When the heart, itself, betrays! 

For to thee, thou little Innocent! 

The world cannot help but be kind-^ 
But, the larger the heart, the greater 

The sorrow it needs must find. 



LOVE'S GOLDEN PILGRIMAGE 

To one who loves, all things are beautiful — 
Love colours every thought, and on his wings 
Doth bear those tender, sweet imaginings 

That stir the soul to depths most dutiful. 

The merry clamour of the bells at Yule, 

The Cuckoo's trumpet-call, wdien first it rings 
On unaccustom'd ears . . . and other Springs 

Fade fast before the mind's bright vestibule! . . . 

Are messengers of Love, but Love has more 
Than all the wealtl^ of Nature can bestow, 

54 



LOVE'S GOLDEN PILGRLAL-\GE 55 

For he who loves, has of Love's boundless store 

A heart, a mind, whose riches overflow, 
And, in the light and wisdom of Love's lore. 

Perceives in Nature thins^s unseen before. 



LOVE'S WELCOME 

Hark to the spirit voices from Love's sphere! 
Sweet close to this melodious summer night — 
Softly the song floats on from height to 
height, 

And every voice is eloquent of Her! 

Can this be night, the brightness is so fair? 
My Hall of Love is lit with crystal light, 
If so my Lady shall my watch requite, 

And earth and sky a richer radiance wear! 

Shine on for ever o'er this heart of mine, 
Ye night and stars, and Thou who lovelier art 

56 



LOVE'S WELCOME 57 

Than what my wildest fancy might portray! 
Entwine thy hallow'd glory round my heart, 
And so encloud me, till I swoon away, 
A victim to the Love that is divine. 



LOVE'S ONENESS 

(To a Lady who complained that others were neglected 
for herself) 

If I had loved thee less, I had been free 
To smile when others smiled — to hope, or 
fear, 
And lend to each such silent sympathy 

As well might prove a friend was listening 
near. 

But, loving thee, I have no eyes to see 
What others see, or feel as others feel — • 

I have no thoughts that are not part of thee, 
And all my sweets from thoughts of thee I 
steal. 

58 



LOVE'S ONENESS 5^ 

By day, by night, a presence everywhere, 
Thy mirror'd loveliness in all I find — 

In others' griefs I am not fit to share. 

Who cannot turn from thee my steadfast 
mind. 

Thus loving thee far more than aught beside, 
I've lost my friends, and thou dost merely chide! 



LOVE'S SLEEPLESSNESS 

I CAN no more mine eyes to sleep compose, 
And thou alone sweet cause of my unrest! 
Yet think not I would drive thee from my 
breast, 

Tho' ne'er again I might mine eyelids close. 

Whilst thou hast closed thy petals like the rose, 
And, safely shelter'd in thy little nest, 
Art dreaming of a love thy tears caress'd, 

Unconscious of thy lover and his woes! 

Oh, would that I might tend thy lovely sleep. 
And guard the passage of thine incensed 
breath! — 

60 



LOVE'S SLEEPLESSNESS 6i 

To dwell upon thy breast's entrancing steep 

Were all of Heaven, and too much of Death — 
The heart that once had beat so near to thine 
Would stop for aye, when sever'd from its 
shrine! 



LOVE'S BITTERNESS 

Why should I love, where others would despise? 

Why idly hope thou still may'st love me 
best? — 
When every act doth wear a bold disguise, 

And other friendships seem to stir thy breast i 

And yet, to look but once upon those eyes, 
So darkly beautiful, so purely true, 

I, for my doubts, can but myself chastise, 
Who could of thee such bitter thoughts re- 
view ! 

Have I no cloak of hauteur, or of pride, 
That I must fall to thinking foul of thee? 

62 



LOVE'S BITTERNESS 63 

Shall jealous fears in my strong love abide? 
Or is there estimate of love in me? 

No, tho' mine eyes should tell me thou hadst 
lied, 
I 'd tear them out to prove thy constancy! 



LOVE'S RULE 

How soon hath sped this golden summer day! 
This day for ever sacred in our eyes, 
That first reveal'd to us far dearer ties 

Than any we iiave held 'neath Friendship's 
sway. 

Neither will lightly let it pass away, 

And, as a thought long fondled never dies. 
The memory of it shall renew our sighs 

When other youthful joys have known decay. 

So shall we blissfully from life decline, 
Knowing that we have tasted to the full 

64 



LOVE'S RULE 65 

The cup that other Hps have deem'd divine — 
The cup we drain'd in nectarous draughts 
and cool! 

And may Love's rosy garlands here enshrine 
The Day we first submitted to Love's rulel 



ESTRANGED 

You spoke to me harshly, unkindly, last night, 
When my heart was full of love, 

You rain'd on me scorn from your realms above, 
And left me passionless quite I 



66 



EVENING AT SEA 

A PERFECT night! — a night of cahii at sea, 

In all its grace and all its purity, 

And not a sound, save where the glittering spray 

Falls off in emerald furrows round our way. 

Myriads of little stars, divinely fair, 

Come shimmering thro' the vestures of the 

night, 
And Venus in her loveliness is there, 
Enthroned Queen of all those realms of light! 
Now, from the furthest disc, comes peeping forth 
Diana, in her chastest robes of snow, 
Pale as the daylight in the frozen North, 
Yet full of sympathy, as lovers know, 
For, as she mellows with each darkening hour. 
Their linked hearts confess her gracious power. 

67 



TO A VICTORIAN KNIGHT 

It is not for the dints upon your shield 
That tell of prowess in the ensanguined field, 
For which our pure and princely Arthur gave 
That badge of Honour — Knighthood to the 
brave. 

Nor yet like those great rovers of the main, 
Who curb'd, and crush'd the mighty fleets of 

Spain, 
And, with the wisdom that her statesmen 

drew. 
Made good Queen Bess's Knights both brave 

and true. 

68 



TO A VICTORIAN KNIGHT 69 

No, greater than all these! Victoria's Knights 
Their Sovereign's love in wider fields requites — 
It is the power of brain, not of the sword. 
On which they base their title to reward! 



IMPROMPTU VERSES 

(On leaving R.M.S. Norham Castle) 
We quarreird over many things, 

Agreed about few, 
And yet, I am grieved 

At parting from you. 

Perhaps, ere we meet again, 

You will discover 
I was a truer friend 

Than many a lover! 



70 



TO AN UNKNOWN GODDESS 

Love? — I have sought it thro' the universe, 

And found it never yet — 
Oh, will some maid the glorious tale rehearse. 

And let me pay Love's debt? 

On lips and heart and eyebrows I would shower 
The gifts that God hath given, 

From Her receive a more than equal dower 
Of all the gifts of Heaven. 



71 



TO A NONAGENARIAN FRIEND 

(On his Ninetieth Birthday) 
Lo, now you enter on your tenth decade, 
In all your man'ellous faculties array'd, 
May you complete it with the other nine 
Before you go to share the life divine! 



72 



MORNING HYMN 

Now the golden morning shines, 
Let us each be up and doing, 
And, when dayhght swift dedines, 

May it find us still pursuing! 

Each hath his appointed sphere, 
Hands and brain alike achieving, 

Crowning all the fleeting year 

With new beauties of his weaving. 

Tho' the labour of his hands 
Seems but to enrich another, 



74 MORNING HYMN 

God, above him, understands 
He is helping on some brother, 

Who, of frailer mould and form, 

Other purposes fulfilling. 
Else had perish'd in the storm. 

Laying by God's task, unwilling. 

Tho' in mines he delve all day. 
Gloom perennial surround him. 

Every blow emits a ray 

From the spot where Duty bound him. 

Never let the heart repine, 

Tho' thy toil seem unavailing — 

Every labourer's work 's divine, 
Never canst thou speak of failing! 



MORNING HYMN 75 

Art, and Science, Medicine, Law, 
Into unknown realms extending. 

From thy steady purpose draw 
Glorious triumphs, never-ending. 

Every labourer 's worth his hire — 

Known to each his heart's devotion — 

Every spark of burnish'd fire 
Swells the tribute of the ocean. 



> 



MAN'S TOIL 

Each man would wish to be his own good- 
master — 

Freedom the distant goal to which he strains. 
'Tis strange such energy should court disaster, 

Since he is happiest who last attains! 



GUARD THY HEART! 

Guard thy heart! as tho' thy Lady 
Hung her costhest jewels there — 
Tho' a thousand fiends persuade thee, 
Yield not to the fleshly snare! 

Let thy hand be firm and steady, 
Let thy heart be stout and true, 

Let thy feet be ever ready, 

Tho' the Master's calls be few. 

Every thought of self abandon'd, 
Every passion lull'd to rest, 



78 GUARD THY HEART ! 

Every insult kindly pardon' d, 
Every angry word repress'd, 

Thou may'st rend the veil asunder, 
See thy Master face to face! 

In thy life reflect the wonder 
Of so fair a dwelling-place. 

And, when age to youth succeedeth, 
Each fond memory shall appear 

Like a voice that sweetly pleadeth, 
Whispering words of love and cheer 



FORGIVENESS 

^ Must I forgive till seven times seven? ' 

A voice within me cried, 
* As thou wouldst hope to be forgiven/ 

A Voice within replied, 
And this my only hope of Heaven? — 
O Lord, Thou know'st how hard I 've striven 

To conquer all my pride! 

And must I turn each smarting cheek, 

And kindly make reply? 
My arm is strong — my faith is weak. 

And storm-tears cloud mine eye. 

79 



r 



80 FORGIVENESS 

* Beyond his strength is no man tried/ 
That Voice within again replied, 
'Tis Heaven — to pass it by! 

And have I but the hour withstood? 

Revenge, a welcome guest? 
And shall this second, fiercer tlood 

O'erwhelm my battling breast? 
O let me feel Thy Presence near. 
Thy words of Love alone can cheer, 

Alone can bring me rest! 



THE SPIRIT OF POETRY 

Home-returning in a shower, 
Found that I was smiHng, 

At the very time and hour 
Most men would be riHng" — 

Thus, if Nature prove unkind, 

Only a poetic mind 

Can laugh without reviling! 



81 



SORROW'S THRONE 

Why are friends like summer showers, 
As fresh as they are fleeting? 

Why are friends hke all sweet flowers 
That die within the greeting? — 

The sweetest sweets the soonest cloy, 
Our dearest hopes deceive us, 

And so with Friendship's fitful joy. 
It only smiles to grieve us! 



82 



AN EQUATORIAL SUNSET 

The sun has set, and sea and sky are blending 
In tints of purple, amaranth, and gold, 
While fretted clouds, that stretch in line un- 
ending, 
New harmonies of light and shade unfold. 
Like Sappho's cheek with love incarnadined. 
The Western main is deepening every hour — 
Till from the distance comes the soft night wind 
Delicious numbness on the sense to pour. 
Bringing forgetfulness of place and time — 
When lo! from out the waves, apparell'd bright, 
In all her witchery of golden light. 
Fair Venus rises radiantly sublime. 
And, 'mid the jewell'd splendour of the sky, 
Calls forth a tear from many a lover's eye! 

83 



DEATH OF TENNYSON 

(October 6, 1892) 

Mourn, all ye Nations, mourn! for he is dead— ^ 
The sweetest singer of our later choir. 
Whose thoughts were borne aloft on wings 
of fire, 

And Truth and Beauty left us in their stead. 

The last of all our prophets now is fled — 
Fled is the music of his magic lyre. 
The melody of half a world's desire, 

The yew and cypress wound about his head. 

Sunrise and sunset shall go fleeting by. 
And all the voice of Nature now be mute, 

84 



DEATH OF TENNYSON 85. 

Since he, who loved them, leaves us but his 
lute. 
With none the master of its minstrelsy — 
Yet, in his life and death, what joy have we 

Who knew the tree, and tasted of its fruit! 



PEACE 

Thou gentle Dove! sent out to warn mankind 
Of such a time when war shall cease to be, 
Yet ever to thy sheltering Ark dost flee, 

For nowhere can thy feet a foothold find. 

The air thou cleavest is with sulphur blind, 
While horrent shapes scud o'er the foamy sea, 
That bristles with a monster progeny — 

The clash of arms is borne upon the wind. 

O when wilt thou return to tell of fields 

Ripening with plenty, whilst the smiling 

lands 
Are bound by fellowship of hearts and 
hands? 

86 



\ f 



PEACE 87 

No more the sword its bloody sceptre wields! 
Come to us from the realms where Heaven, 
expands, 
And bring the leaf the tender olive yields! 



V 



\ 



ON DEATH 

Why shouldst thou fear, since Death must 

come? 
Why, Mortal, shouldst thou fear the tomb? 
Thou canst not one sweet minute gain, 
Nor stay the Hand that stilleth pain, 
Then bravely meet the silent Foe, 
If Foe He be, Who ends thy woe! 
For at the worst Forgetfulness — 
And at the best great Happiness — 
Will minister to thy distress, 
And make the parting less and less! 



88 L.ofC. 



TRUTH 

A will-o'-the-wisp that ever evades the sight. 

The nearer we get, the blacker grows the night, 
And he, who would grasp it, grasps but a reedy 

light, 
Whilst over his sinking shadow it dances bright! 



89 



SUNDOWN 

The noises of clay come out distinct and clear, 
While children's voices break the muffled 

roar 
That rises from the village. Evermore 

The babble of birds disturbs the dreaming ear. 

The ring-dove gurgles from a coppice near, 
The lark just flits above his wheaten floor, 
And tired of climbing seeks his nestlings four, 

Whilst swallows cleave the laden atmosphere.. 

The bloom of fruit is on the distant firs, 
The valley fills with soft and filmy spray. 
The breeze just fans the face and dies away, 

And not a leaf within the forest stirs. 

90 



SUNDOWN 91 

The sun goes down upon the throbbing 

air, 
And leaves the hills more silent than they 

were. 



NOV 8 1900 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




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